Merck & Co. Inc., United States of America

In 1987, Merck & Co., Inc. announced that it would donate Mectizan® for the treatment of onchocerciasis (river blindness) for all who need it, for as long as needed. To provide medical oversight and technical support of the donation it established the Mectizan Donation Program (MDP.) In 1998, Merck expanded the donation of Mectizan to include mass treatment for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in African countries where onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis co-exist.

The mass co-administration of Mectizan® with albendazole (donated by GlaxoSmithKline) on an annual basis for at least 5 years is the recommended drug regimen for LF in communities where onchocerciasis and LF co-exist. It is expected that this treatment will prevent the development of the disease in those already infected and will prevent the establishment of infection in those not yet infected, thus improving the public health and socio-economic situation now and for future generations in millions of infected communities.

BY 2007, 10 African countries and Yemen had established national Programs for the Elimination of LF (PELFs.) In 2006, more than 40 million treatments with Mectizan and albendazole were approved.

Additionally, Merck provides financial support for the Ghana LF Support Centre, activities of the GAELF Executive Group, and, through the Mectizan Donation Program Secretariat, support of field implementation activities.

For future generations, this initiative promises to prevent both the disfigurement and disability caused by the disease and dramatically affecting the quality and duration of life of millions of people. With only one annual treatment needed, Mectizan and albendazole are well suited for distribution in urban and rural areas. With the continued use of Mectizan and albendazole, it is hoped that interruption of LF transmission and virtual elimination of the disease can be achieved in these African countries.

The Mectizan Expert Committee (MEC)/Albendazole Coordination (MEC/AC), an independent group of experts in tropical medicine and public health, determines policies and strategies for the safe and appropriate use of Mectizan with albendazole, for the elimination of LF in countries where onchocerciasis and LF co-exist. It also reviews applications for Mectizan and albendazole for mass administration in PELFs in countries where onchocerciasis and LF co-exist.

The MDP serves as the executive body of the MEC/AC, providing technical and administrative assistance to PELFs where onchocerciasis and LF co-exist. It represents the link between the PELFs and the MEC/AC.

Merck, through its Office of Contributions, receives notification of approved applications from the MEC/AC and facilitates all logistical, shipping and customs issues related to the delivery of Mectizan to PELFs.

www.mectizan.com
www.mectizan.org